Saint Mark's Campanile
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St Mark’s Campanile (Campanile di San Marco is one of the icons of Venice, a free-standing bell tower in the Piazza San Marco, standing between St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. Ascend to the top of this 323-foot (98.6m) tall tower to get a glorious view of the city and the lagoon beyond.
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Private tour of Venice highlights with skip-the-line ticket to St. Mark's Bell Tower
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Classic Venice in one day tour
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4 Tips for Visiting the Saint Mark's Campanile
Sunset from San Giorgio Maggiore | Photo: Flickr, HarshLight - CC BY 2.0
1
The queue for the Campanile moves quite quickly, but if you can’t stand crowds then plan to visit early in the morning or after 5 pm when there are fewer tourist groups.
From the Campanile | Photo: Flickr, HarshLight - CC BY 2.0
2
Leave strollers at the bottom of the tower or in the left luggage area at Ateneo San Basso. The top of the tower gets very busy and it will be easier to carry babies in a baby carrier.
3
If you’re in Venice during carnival time, then try to see the Flight of the Angel! This tradition started in the mid-16th century when a Turkish acrobat walked along a tightrope from a boat to the top of the Campanile, stopping on his way down to pay homage to the Doge in his palace. The even varied in form and style over the next few years, until the performers began to dress as angels, giving the event its current name. The event was changed in 1759 after an acrobat fell to his death to be the flight of the dove, and a fake dove was lowered from the bell tower until 2001. From 2001 the event has gone back to using people, at first professionals, then celebrities from different fields (including, bizarrely, Coolio). Today the role of the angel is played by the young woman who was declared Maria of the previous year’s carnival.
4
If you’re at the top of the tower at noon, then prepare yourself for the bells! They ring while visitors are inside the tower and can be extremely loud.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s a campanile?
Campanile is the Italian word for a bell tower, deriving from the word campana, which means bell. In English it’s mostly used to refer to a bell tower which is free-standing, or unattached to the church or building it belongs to. The tallest campanile is in Mortegliano, and it stands 371 feet (113.2m) tall, so at 323 feet (98.6m), St Mark’s Campanile isn’t too far off the record!
What’s special about St Mark’s Campanile?
The original tower in St Mark’s Square was built in the 9th century CE and served as a watchtower or lighthouse for the nearby dock. Over the years it was rebuilt and repaired several times after damage from fires and earthquakes until it became the version we see today in 1513. That version collapsed in 1902 but was rebuilt to the exact dimensions of its predecessor (albeit with a brand-new elevator). The tower is home to the church’s 5 bells, each of which has a particular use. The Nona still rings out at noon, and the Marangona still rings out at the beginning and end of the working day. The other bells had specific uses during the Republic of Venice: the Mezza Terza announced sessions of the Senate, the Trottiera called council members to meetings, and the Renghiera, also known as the Maleficio rang out to announce executions. The campanile has inspired similar towers in Australia, the USA, Germany, Spain, and many more.
What can you see from the top?
From the top of St Mark’s Campanile, you get an unparalleled view of the domes of St Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and everything else in the Piazza San Marco. You also get a wonderful view of the lagoon, and on a clear day, you’ll be able to spot the islands of Giudecca, San Giorgio, Murano, and Lido in the distance.
I hate elevators, can I climb the stairs?
Unfortunately, the only way to access the campanile is by elevator. There are stairs, but they are only to be used in emergencies and for maintenance.
General Information
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Address:
Piazza San Marco
30124 Venice
Italy
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